William Albertson's will 1784

Be it known unto all men by these presents that I William Albertson being of sound disposing memory thanks be to God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that men do once die and the time when uncertain do make and ordain these presents to contain my last will and testament in the following mannered form.

........ I give to my loving wife the use of my plantation and improvements from a valley against the old tann trough stump up to a small ditch running through my oat field to the road and down to the branch near Chalkles house and and the use of my back land and fire wood & rail timber to support where she lives during her natural life.

Item: I give to my son Benjamin Albertson the upper part of my plantation and land down to a small Walnut tree in the valley against the old tann trough stump then up to a small ditch and along said ditch running through my oat field to the road then up a small ditch a little to the south of my gate that course to the back line and to William Charles land to him and his heirs forever. I also give to my son Benjamin Albertson my back land on the north side of long branch to him and his heirs forever. only my will is that my son William Albertson have liberty of rails and fire wood of this land.

Item: I give to my son Chalkley Albertson the lower part of my land betwixt John Anderson’s line and the branch up to the road then along the road to a mile post back of my wheat field then out to the back line of my old land then down to the John Anderson line and all my back land on the south side of long branch to him & his heirs for ever . only my will & desire is that my son William Albertson have the liberty of geting rails & fire wood of the last mentioned land during his life.

Item: I give to my son William Albertson the land and improvements from the valley against the old tanntrough stump up to the small ditch running through my oar field to .. road then along the ditch a little to the .. south of my gate that course to the back line then along the back line to Chalkles line then along his line to a black gum stump then along .. back line of my old land against the mile post then down the road to the .. mile post then along the road to the head of .. branch near Chalkleys barns then down said branch to the swamp to the Walnut tree in the valley against the old tan trough stump to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body for ever and for want of such my will is that his land after his decease be divided betwixt his brothers Benjamin & Chalkley & their heirs for ever. Also I give to my son William Albertson one feather bed and furniture one cow and calf one pewter dish and basonone desk two chairs one iron .... one nine bottle case one large Bible one horse named ..... to him & his heirs for ever, but that no bargain for any of these things or his land or any thing of consequence from or to him be vallid or lawful without the consent and approbation of his brothers and further I do hereby desire request both my sons Benjamin & Chalkley to have especial over their brother William and keep him living with one of them after his mothers decease and that his things be not sold but that his mother have the use of them as long as he lives with her.

Item: I give to my two grandsons William and Thomas Hasket twenty shillings to be raised out of my estate.

Item: I give to my daughter Mary Anderson one mare called Bonne with many other things she has already received and one cow and calf to be delivered after her mothers decease to her & her Heirs.

Item: I give to my daughter Elizabeth Albertson one bay horse two years old one cow and calf one feather bed & furniture one small round table two chairs one pewter bason six plates one looking glass one spinning wheel one ewe and lamb & one side saddle to her & her heirs an that the not be soldbut that her mother have the use of them until she comes of age or marriage.

Item: I give to my wife Sarah Albertson allthe rest or remaining part of my personal estate (after my just debts be paid) to her and her disposal.

Furthermore I nominate, constitute and appoint my sons Benjamin & Chalkley Executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby revoke & disanul all and every other former will testament bequest & Execution by me named before this time. In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand & seal this 31st day 5th month of May 1784.

A gift to William & Thomas Hasket .........( added in??) before signed. Signed sealed and pronounced to be my last will and testament in the presents of

William Albertson

John Anderson

Samuel Anderson

Josiah....ton

It looks like this will was written by William Albertson himself. This will was proved in the July Court 1784 and recorded September 10th 1784.